A short snippet from:

Symmetry of Measure in Special Relativity


Roger Luebeck   © 2008,  2011,  2024


See my article: Symmetry of measure in relativity

Also see my tutorial for computing non-kinematical and kinematical time-keeping dilation, with commentary on the Hafele-Keating study of circumnavigating jets: time-dilation.pdf


Actual kinematical clock-rate slowing and actual length-contraction, dependent on actual speed as a percentage of the actual speed of light,
are what produces:

  • symmetry of measure across inertial frames

  • the constancy of the measured speed of light,
        independent of inertial frame

  • the kinematical time-keeping differential between reunited clocks

    There can be no time-keeping differential without an underlying structure (totality) imparting physical properties.

    The all-encompassing absolute nature of light (energy, broadly) -- from which matter is born -- is the ultimate frame of reference.

    My articles and my book Relativity Trail explain and diagram symmetry of measure in absolute terms. Relativity Trail is completely consistent with Einstein's kinematical treatment. It reveals what is transpiring behind the scenes of Einstein's kinematical treatment. Einstein's clock synchronization is diagrammed in absolute terms.

    Einstein, himself, ultimately forcefully argued that the structure of space (totality) imparts inertial properties and provides us with standards for measure -- specifically -- standards for clocks and measuring rods, and dictates the effects ("inertia") of special relativity. He stated: "Space without ether is unthinkable".

    See the bottom of this document for a link to his lecture at Leyden.


    A snippet from Symmetry of Measure in Relativity:

    Replacing Einstein's postulates --


    .. end snippet from Symmetry of measure in relativity


    In 1920, at Leyden, Einstein forcefully argued for the pertinence, in special relativity, of the structure of space which he had neglected in his 1905 and 1916 treatments. The underlying reality of the structure of space (totality) is what is dictating the time-keeping differential. Yes, the universe does actually exist, and we do actually have motion relative to the universe -- the imparter of inertial properties and the judge of motion.

    See: Einstein at Leyden


    The new fictitious concept being promoted in physics these days is that there is no such thing as "historical time", no such thing as "time" in the sense of the march of history, no such thing as the concept of a master clock at rest in relation to totality. Rather, "time" is defined as simply an ordered sequence of events. By itself, that would be rational. It doesn't contradict the notion of a universal historical time. But the ordering of the sequence is regarded as strictly a matter of perception dependent on one's inertial frame.

    Thus, it is simply a repackaging of the old lie that there is no baseline, no standard, for inertial motion -- meaning that light does not have an absolute nature, does not dictate kinematical clock-functioning, and that totality and light are not the judge of actual motion. That generates the same old obvious contradiction -- which is that either one of two reunited parties can lay claim to having aged less than the other.

    There are always two ways in which to construct a spacetime diagram -- one which favors one party and one which favors the other regarding who changes inertial frames, i.e., which party ages the least. Only one party can age less than the other. The party who changes frames relative to totality necessarily experiences the effective force of acceleration.

    See: the spirit of confusion in relativism

    See: relentless ambiguity regarding the speed of light


    Home page:

    Relativity Trail, with 186 pages, 45 diagrams and 21 illustrations, will provide you with complete detailed algebraic derivations of all the kinematical effects of special relativity. Everything is charted out in absolute terms against a system at rest with respect to the totality of the universe for perfect clarity as well as soundness of theoretical basis. It is the totality of the universe that imparts the inertial properties of clock rates and lengths which generate the effects of relativity. This is explained in detail in Relativity Trail.


    ©   2008,  2011,  2024   Roger Luebeck


    Updated 12/07/2025


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